"Volf" - MK3 Golf Variant build

Some of you may know the car already, but here it goes. I purchased this 1998 Volkswagen Golf Variant CL with a 1.4 60hp (when new) engine on 04/03/2015 to use as my daily driver. It's a nice, clean car and also very rare in Ireland at this stage. Despite what the seller said, the compression is down on one of the cylinders. It wasn't noticeable at high revs so I was hoping the problem was in the spark, but it wasn't. According to the seller, the engine had been replaced in 2013 because the timing belt broke - he gave me that engine along with the Golf.

Here it is on the first day I got it.







Since then I replaced oil, oil filter, air filter, distributor cap, spark plugs, ignition leads and brake pads.

Here you can see the difference in the pads.


I also put in a genuine Harlekin gear knob.


Then I purchased a 1996 Volkswagen Vento with the same 1.4 engine as the Golf has, but at least the one in the Vento works perfectly fine. I put the Vento front end on the Golf...


...among other things. I put in the Vento seats, black instrument cluster dials and lower glove box. I also got another top glovebox from a 1995 Vento since the existing one in the Golf had a broken handle. Also I put in my Kenwood head unit which I bought brand new a few months ago.


I also got a type 2 Vento grille, that I preferred over the other one. Needs some fixing up though. Here you can also see the yellow H4 bulbs I put in. I also put in LED sidelights.


As well as LED interior lights and rear licence plate lights.


And now for the big step... Vento and Golf are sitting side by side while I am driving my Fiat Punto. Vento is currently on axle stands with the wheels off and a few other bits already removed.


To be continued...